DON SCHIFF : NS/STICK TECH

Oh Yes, there are more shapes to come but for now, lets put both hands together to play a bit.

Left hand:
Tap a "D" on the low "B" string. Alternate between first and second fingers. Raise your fingers just enough to produce an even alternating tapping. No need to lift them high in the air. Notice in the pictures that when I have my first finger down ... the second finger raises just to the first 'finger joint' (above the nail). And when the second finger hits ... it also raises that same minimal distance. Keep your finger movements isolated ... basically only the fingers move.

Play eighth notes on "D" and count:
1 and 2& 3& 4&   5& 6& 7& 8& (keep playing and repeating alternating fingers)

NOW with your right hand:
Play the D minor chord and shape we learned earlier. Tap the "D minor" chord on beat 1 and hold it out, letting it ring through 8 & ... tapping again on 1and continue holding it out ... EXCELLENT.

Get comfortable with that AND THEN ..............

Keep the alternating bass fingers going but move the D minor chord to the "C major" chord (left hand still plays the "D" notes even when the right hand changes to the "C" chord). Let the "C" chord ring out for 8 counts ... then back to the D minor (8 counts) ... you guessed it ... then back to the "C".

OHHHH you're gettin' good.

NEXT ... and here is where a small amount of coordination comes in ... Keep those bass fingers alternating (always on note "D") ... and start with the "D minor chord" ... tapping and holding on beat one ... then change to the "C" chord on the & of 4 .... "huh?" I'll show you...

"D minor .... 1& 2& 3& 4 "C" 

Hold the "C" through the "&" (of 4) ...
and let it ring while counting another 1& 2& 3& 4&

On the 'next' "1" tap the "D minor chord" holding and again hitting and holding the "C" chord on the "&" of 4,

IN OTHER WORDS,
One bar of D minor, switching to one bar of "C" but starting "C" on the & of 4.

OKAY... we are getting closer to this "spiffy" little tune!

BUT FIRST ....
Whose hungry?
I invented this nice little recipe that is catching on ... I call it, "Yankee Doodle Goes To Mexico" Why what a funny name you say ... Read on, it will make sense.

This recipe was a "studio" hit this past summer.

1. You take one 'Hot Dog" (that's the Yankee Doodle part ...-- I recommend "Nathan's" Hot Dogs) and split it down the middle length wise ..."Very good" ...

2. Now get a (ohhh here comes the magic!) a flour "Tortilla" (hey that must be the "Mexico part!"). Excellent.

3. Add your Ketchup, mustard, etc., and spread it on the Tortilla...

4. Take your hot dog and grill it on the grill ... (tastes better ... or the "George Forman Grill ... also an excellent choice.)

5. Take your Tortilla and put some American Cheese on it (with the ketchup, etc.).

6. When the hot dog is close to done, place the Tortilla on the grill, close, melt the cheese .... oh yes, your cooking in the cheesy, ketchupy.mustard flavor ... baking it right in.

7. Place cooked hot-dog on the Tortilla, fold the bottom of the Tortilla 1/4 of the way up the hot-dog (keeps the fixin's from spillin' out when you bite in) and then roll the rest of the Tortilla around the hot-dog ...... Oh, looks nice TOO!

NOW that's continental cookin' .... "Yankee Doodle Goes To Mexico!"   Olé.

NOW practice some more .... work some of those "hot-dog" calories off.

... if you spill while practicing, you'll have a "Hot-dog on a Stick" ...